Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Alcohol support

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Dry January and beyond

998 replies

BulldogMumma · 23/12/2024 07:03

I couldn't find a dry January thread so thought I'd make one.
I've posted on the alcohol threads before but never see it through. This year I'm determined to do dry January and even beyond.
My drinking has really crept up lately and I know I need to address it. I lost my mum this year due to alcohol and I don't want to go the same way. I've been using alcohol as a crutch since losing my mum but now's the time I stop relying on the wine and take back control.
Anyone else who wants to join me are more than welcome, would be good to have some buddies along the way x

OP posts:
Sammy900 · 07/01/2025 20:30

We have been booze free for a week woohoo let’s keep going. I’m going to have some home made curry and watch the rest of playing nicely

Sammy900 · 07/01/2025 20:30

Playing nice I mean

Sammy900 · 07/01/2025 20:34

Hope those feeling poorly get better soon. Welcome aboard fellow DJers - this time last week I was feeling horrible

BookShark · 07/01/2025 20:35

I'm home alone again and this is definitely the danger time - if DH is out, I'll usually open a bottle of wine and chill out. I've treated myself to takeaway instead, and now one of the cats has curled up on my knee so I can't get up and get a drink anyway!

I hear what others are saying about boredom though. I don't think it's boredom as such for me - I'm not a huge TV watcher so turns to spend the evening crafting and that hasn't changed. It's just that I usually do it with a glass of wine next to me, so if just feels a bit empty without. Sadly I read somewhere today that it can take 10 weeks to break a habit, so I fear I may be battling temptation for a while yet!

Sammy900 · 07/01/2025 20:56

It’s interesting how we all spend our evenings and previous wine time at home are most peoples danger zones / habits their own down time at home?

Sammy900 · 07/01/2025 20:58

BookShark · 07/01/2025 20:35

I'm home alone again and this is definitely the danger time - if DH is out, I'll usually open a bottle of wine and chill out. I've treated myself to takeaway instead, and now one of the cats has curled up on my knee so I can't get up and get a drink anyway!

I hear what others are saying about boredom though. I don't think it's boredom as such for me - I'm not a huge TV watcher so turns to spend the evening crafting and that hasn't changed. It's just that I usually do it with a glass of wine next to me, so if just feels a bit empty without. Sadly I read somewhere today that it can take 10 weeks to break a habit, so I fear I may be battling temptation for a while yet!

Oh no ten weeks ..here’s me harping on about two weeks haha …It’s been a long week actually. This time last week feels like ages ago! maybe I’m on a new life path now - hope so

MillyGoat · 07/01/2025 21:12

Destiny33 · 07/01/2025 19:59

I was scared to post incase I couldn’t do this but I got to day 7 so I think I can.

Started drinking at 15 and apart from when pregnant don’t think I have been af for more than 2/3 days. The last 5 years has escalated and I am ashamed to say it’s been a bottle a day.

Welcome @Destiny33 you’re in the right place with people who understand and are like you. Well done so far, absolutely awesome work. How are you feeling?

Hedjwitch · 07/01/2025 21:12

@Destiny33 bloody well done on 7 days. I've been a bottle a day myself so know what an achievement this is. Keep going.

MillyGoat · 07/01/2025 21:13

MillyGoat · 07/01/2025 21:12

Welcome @Destiny33 you’re in the right place with people who understand and are like you. Well done so far, absolutely awesome work. How are you feeling?

Show quote history

Also a bottle a day… this means already you’ve saved yourself enough for a massage as a treat right?!

Destiny33 · 07/01/2025 21:25

Sorry, don’t know how to reply individually. Thank you so much for the encouragement. I’m feeling ok, I honestly never thought I could do a week without wine. I can’t think about how much money I’ve wasted but it is an incentive to keep going. It was beginning to affect my health so I am so grateful for the support.

soberserene · 07/01/2025 21:46

Sammy900 · 07/01/2025 20:56

It’s interesting how we all spend our evenings and previous wine time at home are most peoples danger zones / habits their own down time at home?

I definitely drank wine to counteract the boredom of being stuck at home on my own in the evenings. But eventually the wine took over and I was neglecting activities that bring me pleasure such as reading or taking a long evening bath.

MillyGoat · 07/01/2025 21:54

Destiny33 · 07/01/2025 21:25

Sorry, don’t know how to reply individually. Thank you so much for the encouragement. I’m feeling ok, I honestly never thought I could do a week without wine. I can’t think about how much money I’ve wasted but it is an incentive to keep going. It was beginning to affect my health so I am so grateful for the support.

Don’t look back, only forward. Is it getting easier each day?

I had my shortest window of cravings yet today, which is a positive. When I have days that feel easy I feel stupid for having let things creep up on me so much. I can really see how wine has affected me emotionally in recent months esp as I’ve been PM too … I knew at the time but it was such a relief at the end of a long day that I just could think about giving it up.

MillyGoat · 07/01/2025 21:55

Destiny33 · 07/01/2025 21:25

Sorry, don’t know how to reply individually. Thank you so much for the encouragement. I’m feeling ok, I honestly never thought I could do a week without wine. I can’t think about how much money I’ve wasted but it is an incentive to keep going. It was beginning to affect my health so I am so grateful for the support.

Click quote to reply to a message, or type @ then the username of the person you’re addressing

Destiny33 · 07/01/2025 22:13

MillyGoat · 07/01/2025 21:54

Don’t look back, only forward. Is it getting easier each day?

I had my shortest window of cravings yet today, which is a positive. When I have days that feel easy I feel stupid for having let things creep up on me so much. I can really see how wine has affected me emotionally in recent months esp as I’ve been PM too … I knew at the time but it was such a relief at the end of a long day that I just could think about giving it up.

Show quote history

Honestly I had been feeling so ill last year. I was drinking out of habit and not enjoying it. Just numbing the pain.

I am enjoying being sober and focused on getting healthier and getting some purpose in life.

Original poster
BulldogMumma · 07/01/2025 22:56

@Destiny33 I was also drinking a bottle a night. I'm on day 7 now, the longest I've gone in years.
I don't find I'm bored on an evening, I used to watch tv working my way through a bottle of wine. I still watch tv just without the wine.
I've saved over £35 this week by not having the wine, that's scary to see how much I was spending.
I'm feeling good at the moment, think I need to go back to the gym though

OP posts:
Fundays12 · 08/01/2025 04:25

Sammy900 · 07/01/2025 20:34

Hope those feeling poorly get better soon. Welcome aboard fellow DJers - this time last week I was feeling horrible

I second this. I felt like I had a bug on day 5 and 6 as I was aching and sore plus exhausted. I feel so much better now and my skin looks better.

Fundays12 · 08/01/2025 04:33

Well done to everyone. @Destiny33 your very welcome to join. A massive well done on your achievements do far. This thread has helped me loads to stay dry. I think just sharing my feelings with other people who understand and talking openly without judgement to a supporter group of people has been amazing.

Lol I am giggling at the cat on the lap comments and not being able to move. My cats are very good at making sure I sit down and don't move. Only on cold nights though when it suits them 😅. It's been very helpful in keeping me dry as one gives you the death glare if I even contemplate moving her when she is not ready.

TimeForNosecco · 08/01/2025 06:03

Destiny33 · 07/01/2025 19:59

I was scared to post incase I couldn’t do this but I got to day 7 so I think I can.

Started drinking at 15 and apart from when pregnant don’t think I have been af for more than 2/3 days. The last 5 years has escalated and I am ashamed to say it’s been a bottle a day.

You definitely can do this!! Well done 7 days is amazing 🤩

TimeForNosecco · 08/01/2025 06:13

Morning all day 8!! Feel like my bloating is finally going which is great as had been feeling very sluggish.
full 7 hrs sleep first in awhile 😊
welcome to all the new comers this is a great thread with lots of support good luck to you all and well done every dry day is a win.
Have a great Wednesday, we’ve got this 💪🏻

usernamebetty · 08/01/2025 06:24

I'm still here! Going to bed on my day 7, I made it! The longest I've done in a long time. I feel myself wavering already looking ahead to the weekend, thinking it'll be like 10 days by then and that's good enough. But I'll be so disappointed in myself if I don't at least get January done. Hoping I can make it through.

TimeForNosecco · 08/01/2025 06:34

usernamebetty · 08/01/2025 06:24

I'm still here! Going to bed on my day 7, I made it! The longest I've done in a long time. I feel myself wavering already looking ahead to the weekend, thinking it'll be like 10 days by then and that's good enough. But I'll be so disappointed in myself if I don't at least get January done. Hoping I can make it through.

Well done 👍🏻 I know it’s difficult just need to push through you’ve come this far which is amazing same as 10 days will be amazing but imagine 31 days!!
The mind plays tricks on us it will convince you to do things we have to be stronger than our thoughts. You can do this!! Best of luck to you.

Original poster
BulldogMumma · 08/01/2025 06:37

Morning all
Day 8 for me. I definitely feel like my bloating is going and I've noticed my skin looking better too.
I'm so glad I made this thread it really helps me to stay dry, having other people to share it with is really important to me and I'm sure without you all I'd have failed by now.
I'm still reading the unexpected joy of being sober before I go to sleep and I resonate with it a lot.
Happy Wednesday everyone hope you all have a fab day

OP posts:
Els1e · 08/01/2025 06:46

I'm still here too. What's good - sleep is much better and my skin is looking clearer too. Not so good - still feel a bit bloated but hopefully that'll improve soon. Also starting to get the "...fancy a glass of wine" niggles. This thread is helping me squash those.

TimeForNosecco · 08/01/2025 06:58

BulldogMumma · 08/01/2025 06:37

Morning all
Day 8 for me. I definitely feel like my bloating is going and I've noticed my skin looking better too.
I'm so glad I made this thread it really helps me to stay dry, having other people to share it with is really important to me and I'm sure without you all I'd have failed by now.
I'm still reading the unexpected joy of being sober before I go to sleep and I resonate with it a lot.
Happy Wednesday everyone hope you all have a fab day

Thank you for making this thread it’s been such a help for me, the support here is just unbelievable.
I’ve just started listening to Annie grace naked mind on audio I know there’s a lot of mixed reviews on this one!
i’ve read the joy of being sober twice that’s a great read also

FishPie2 · 08/01/2025 07:17

Local TV asking people if they were doing DJ...
Yes was the reply but it is now slightly damp but going to wipe it down. 🙂